Mysteries in the Dark

The Amazing Legacy of the Man Who Knew 12,000 Books But Couldn't Button a Shirt.

The Unexplained Life of Kim Peek

In this episode of Mysteries in the Dark, Omar and I dive into the extraordinary mind of a man who redefined what human potential looks like. Kim Peek—often called the real “Rain Man”—wasn’t just a savant; he was a walking library, a memory powerhouse, and a reminder that brilliance comes in forms the world doesn’t always expect. His life challenged science, inspired millions, and expanded our understanding of the brain itself. Buckle up, b...

Welcome to Mysteries in the Dark. In this episode, we explore Spiritual Preparation — the episode that reminds you eternity isn’t a theory, it’s a destination. Your soul is your mind, emotions, and will. Your spirit is the God‑given breath inside you that connects directly to Him. And Scripture makes it clear they’re not the same.

Hebrews 4:12 says God’s Word divides soul and spirit. Ecclesiastes 12:7 says your body returns to dust and your spirit returns to God. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 says you are spirit, soul, and body.

Life after death is real. Judgment is real. Hea...

Welcome to today’s episode, where we kick things off with… a stop sign. Not just any stop sign—an American one, proudly standing in the middle of Germany. Why? Because, as my German tour guide explained, Americans kept blowing through the international stop signs like they were optional décor. So Germany—land of efficiency—swapped to ours for safety.

And that got me thinking: road signs exist for one reason—to help us get home in one piece. And spiritually, commandments do the same thing. They’re God’s “Slow Down,” “Curve Ahead,” and “Seriously, Don’t Do That.”

With...

Some men shake hands with death. Others lock eyes with it… and recognize it from childhood.

Before Donald Sutherland was a legend, before the movies, before the voice, before the face you can’t forget—death came for him early. Polio. Rheumatic fever. Hepatitis. Scarlet fever. Pneumonia. Hospital beds were his playground. Gasping for air was his lullaby. And every time, a small, stubborn body said no.

Then came 1968.

A quick job. Easy money. Two weeks in Yugoslavia filming Kelly’s Heroes. A goofy role. A carefree shoot. And a river carrying something no one c...

He has no wife. No children. No family in the way most of us understand it.

And yet—he belongs to everyone.

A priest gives his life away. To the altar and the Eucharist. To the confessional at midnight. To hospital rooms, deathbeds, broken hearts, and desperate prayers. He becomes a spiritual father to people he may only serve for a few short years before being sent somewhere new—again.

There are no nine-to-five hours here. No guaranteed weekends. No paid vacations waiting on the calendar. When the phone rings in the dark, he a...

The stars are still shining… So why does the world feel darker than ever?

This episode begins with a stunning image of a distant nebula—but it quickly turns our gaze inward, toward a far more urgent question: Where has the light of faith gone?

Jesus doesn’t merely call Himself the Light of the World. He calls His disciples to be that light—to live with integrity, to love sacrificially, and to stand firm in truth.

Yet today, moral confusion abounds. Church doors are locked. Fear replaces trust. Right and wrong grow blurred...

History Lost: The Ambassador Theater

Before it was a plaza… before the fountain… There was a palace.

In 1926, the Ambassador Theater exploded onto the St. Louis skyline — 17 stories of pure spectacle, called “the greatest event here since the World’s Fair.” Six floors of velvet, marble, lights, and live music. Eleven floors of bustling offices above. It wasn’t just a theater — it was an experience.

Vaudeville gave way to silver screens. Cinerama wrapped audiences in cinematic wonder. Rock legends like Van Morrison and KISS later shook its walls. But glory faded, chandeliers vanished, and by...

Beneath the quiet streets of Alton, Illinois, lies a past that refuses to stay buried. Perched above the Mississippi River, this small town has witnessed violent storms, vanished landmarks, Civil War tensions, whispered legends, and tragedies that shaped generations. But history here isn’t just ink on old paper — it lingers in the buildings, the bluffs, and the stories locals still tell after dark.

In this episode, Omar and I dig into real historical records, forgotten accounts, and unsettling moments that helped earn Alton its chilling reputation. This isn’t just a ghost story — it’s a journey in...

Alton Steel is dark. Not slowing down. Not restructuring. Done.

More than 250 jobs — gone. Just like that.

One week, the mill was hiring… the next, the furnaces were cooling for good. Families who thought they had stability are now staring at uncertainty. Lawmakers are demanding answers. Workers are demanding respect. And a community built on grit is asking the same question:

How did we get here?

This isn’t just a business headline — this is about paychecks, pride, and a plant that rose from bankruptcy once before, only to be crushed by a cha...

A steel mill. A snowstorm. And in a matter of days, 253 workers without jobs.

Did Alton Steel fall to brutal industry economics… or did a sudden removal of critical materials push it over the edge? Now there are legal questions, shaken families, and a community scrambling to respond.

Paychecks stopped — but the fight for these workers is just beginning.

What really happened behind those mill doors?

Steel. Sweat. Sirens at sunrise. For nearly 25 years, Alton Steel wasn’t just a mill — it was a symbol of blue-collar pride blazing along the riverfront. Generations built their lives around those shifts, those sparks, that roar of production.

Now imagine the furnaces going cold.

In a sudden and emotional turn, Alton Steel Inc. has announced it will shut down operations, leaving more than 250 workers — and a whole community — bracing for impact. Union leaders got the news in a gut-punch phone call. Company executives say aging equipment, global competition, and financial strain pushed them to a breaki...

Today we’re cracking open a mystery that every human being has wondered about at some point… even if it was just at 2 a.m. while staring at the ceiling.

We’re talking about Heaven.

You know the picture most of us carry around: glowing light, peaceful gardens, loved ones waiting, no more pain, no more tears. Honestly? Sounds amazing. Five stars. Would ascend again.

But what if that peaceful postcard version is only the beginning? What if Heaven is bigger… stranger… more mind-blowing than clouds and harps?

Tonight, we’re asking: Why...

Welcome back to Mysteries in the Dark — where the questions are big, the lights are low, and the unknown is just how we like it.

Today we’re cracking open a mystery that every human being has wondered about at some point… even if it was just at 2 a.m. while staring at the ceiling.

We’re talking about Heaven.

You know the picture most of us carry around: glowing light, peaceful gardens, loved ones waiting, no more pain, no more tears. Honestly? Sounds amazing. Five stars. Would ascend again.

But what if...

Remember when he used to wake up at the crack of dawn, heroic music playing in the background, just to bring you an egg-and-cheese bagel like it was a sacred offering? And you were like, “THIS. MAN. IS. A. LEGEND.”

Fast-forward a few years… yesterday he made oatmeal. Oatmeal, people. And what did it get? No applause. No gratitude. Not even a polite nod. Just silence.

Welcome to married life—where grand romantic gestures slowly turn into “Wait… didn’t I thank you for that already…back in 2017?”

Long-term relationships are amazing—but they c...

Get ready—this episode starts with chocolate, takes a hard left turn into ants, and ends in a jaw-dropping truth about who we really are. 🐜🍫✨

On the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, we wrap up the Christmas season with a homily that zooms from a surprising conversation with a German exchange student to the astonishing gap between humans and ants… and then explodes that gap to reveal something even bigger: the unthinkable love of God. Jesus doesn’t just visit humanity—He dives all the way in. Born like us. Living like us. Dying for us.

We’re charging full speed into another electrifying chapter of “Prairie Paths and Urban Pasts,” where forgotten roads come alive and small towns reveal stories way bigger than anyone expects.

This time, our journey races straight into Alton, Illinois—aka Bluff City—a dramatic river town hugging the Mississippi just 25 miles north of St. Louis. This isn’t a place where history gathers dust… it moves. On rails. With sparks flying.

There’s something irresistible about old city photographs—one look and you’re instantly transported. And those early streetcars? Clanging bells, wooden cars, glowing sparks—absolute magi...

High above the Mississippi, just north of St. Louis, there’s a city that shouldn’t exist quietly. Alton, Illinois—built on bluffs, ambition, and shadows. Born in 1818 as a calculated river gamble, it exploded into a booming port, an industrial powerhouse, and home to Illinois’ first state penitentiary. Steep hills, roaring steamboats, iron bars, and untold stories—this is the Bluff City, second only to San Francisco in climbs and second to none in secrets. Tonight, we dig into the rise, the rumors, and the restless history of Alton. Buckle up.

The Passion of the Christ was never just a movie—it was a tremor that quietly rippled through Hollywood and far beyond.

Now, as Mel Gibson prepares to return to the story with a new film on the Resurrection of Christ, he breaks his silence on the film that ignited controversy, faith, and awakening around the world. In this episode, we step into the shadows of that story—exploring the mysterious events on set, shocking injuries, unexpected conversions, and the unseen spiritual warfare that surrounded the production.

🎙️ This is more than cinema. This is a story tha...

The Power Is in the Air!

What if we told you electricity doesn’t need wires anymore?

Yep. Finland just taught power how to fly — and Nikola Tesla is somewhere saying, “Told you so.”

Join us as we dive into the shocking (literally) story of wireless electricity, futuristic tech, and how your phone might soon charge itself like magic.

It’s science. It’s history. It’s a little bit mind-blowing.

Plug in your earbuds… Ironically, this is the one episode you don’t need to be plugged in for. 🎙️⚡

Some protectors don’t wear armor. Some don’t speak. And some… vanish when their work is done.

In the dark streets of 19th-century Turin, a priest was stalked, ambushed, even shot at—and lived to tell the tale.

Because something was watching.

A massive gray dog. No owner. No home. No hunger. Appearing only when danger was near… Disappearing when the threat was gone.

They called him Grigio.

Was he a loyal stray? A miracle in disguise? Or something sent from the shadows to guard a saint?

In this...

What if the biggest threat to your spiritual life isn’t sin… but boredom?

In this episode, we launch the New Year with a resolution you definitely didn’t see coming:

Don’t Be a Zombie. Be Like Mary.

Father Jim Benz Homily

The Epiphany of the Lord: 1/4/26

We talk about zombies (the spiritual kind, not the ones chasing brains), a classic 1968 horror movie you probably didn’t expect to hear about in church, and why walking through life on autopilot might be the quietest way to lose your joy. From...

At three years old, doctors told Peter Falk’s parents to choose:

lose the eye… or lose the child.

They chose life.

Hollywood would later choose against him.

In an industry obsessed with perfect faces, symmetry was currency—and Peter Falk didn’t fit the mold. Casting directors told him he’d never work. One even said, “For the same price, I can get an actor with two eyes.”

They underestimated him.

This episode follows the unlikely path from rejected actor to television legend—how a glass eye, a rumpled r...

Welcome to Mysteries in the Dark—the podcast where history doesn’t speak, it whispers.

The Unseen Architect of Cosmic Death

In this episode, Luna and Omar highlight a forgotten name pulled from the margins of history—one that nearly vanished beneath louder voices and greater egos. It’s the true story of a nineteen-year-old student who, alone on a steamship in 1930, uncovered a cosmic truth that would change how we understand the universe… and then watched the world refuse to believe him.

Mocked, dismissed, and silenced by authority, he waited decades for the truth...

Some revolutions don’t arrive with applause. They arrive as a whisper. A pause. A quiet decision no one else is watching.

In 1939, American hospitals had rules—clear ones. If you were bleeding, they helped you. If you were sick with pneumonia, they treated you. But if alcohol was your disease, the door stayed shut.

Until one small woman chose to open it.

At a hospital in Akron, Ohio, a soft-spoken nun working the admissions desk made a choice that would change history. Sister Ignatia Gavin didn’t have power, status, or permission—but she...

In 1860, the Arizona frontier tried to erase her from history. After a sudden, brutal attack, Larcena Page was stabbed, beaten, and thrown into a canyon—left for dead in the cold, unforgiving wilderness. But death didn’t get the final word.

With shattered bones, open wounds, and no hope of rescue, she did the unthinkable. Unable to stand, Larcena began to crawl—inch by inch—across fifteen miles of desert and mountain terrain, through freezing nights, searing pain, and total darkness. No map. No certainty. Just raw determination and the refusal to stop moving.

This is not a...

Welcome to the HomeTown Streetscapes Podcast, where curb appeal meets holy ground and small-town stories get a big wink 😄

In this episode, Russ and Mel dive into a tale that nobody saw coming—Mel’s legendary discovery of “Robert the Rainbow Trout” at Saints Joachim and Ann Catholic Church in Saint Charles, Missouri. Yes… a rainbow trout. At a church. And yes… it somehow makes perfect sense once you hear the story.

What starts as an ordinary day quickly turns into a hometown mystery filled with laughter, local flavor, and just enough “wait… WHAT?” moments to keep you hooked (f...

In this episode of The Heartbeat of Hazelwood, we review the dental practice of Joseph F. Kallial, DMD, your hometown dentist in Hazelwood, MO

The dental professionals at Joseph F. Kallial, DMD, are always thrilled to welcome you to their practice. They want all their patients to be informed decision-makers and fully understand any health issues they face. That's why they've developed a website loaded with valuable information about dental care, dental problems and treatments. We encourage you to visit their site at: https://www.hazelwooddentist.com/

Our web site also provides you with background...

Dr. Michael Adams has serviced Saint Charles County Missouri as a family physician since 1981. His training was obtained in some of the most highly respected hospitals in the St Louis area. He has trained at Saint John’s Mercy Medical Center, Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and Normandy Osteopathic Hospitals in North and South County. He has been on the medical staff of Barnes-Jewish-Christian Hospital in Saint Peters since the opening of his practice.

Dr. Adams is happily married to his office manager, Diann. They have 7 wonderful sons and are very active in a Christian ministry to lowe...

Back Care Clinic is dedicated to providing comprehensive, high-quality healthcare services to patients of all ages. Their team of experienced and highly trained medical professionals offers a range of specialties, including restorative medicine, chiropractic care, physical therapy, nutrition, cosmetic injectables, and more. Their state-of-the-art facility is equipped with the latest technology and resources to ensure that you receive the best possible care. Their goal is to provide personalized, patient-centered care in a welcoming and compassionate environment. They believe that taking care of your health is a partnership between you and your healthcare provider, and we are committed to working...

About Jellybean Media Group

Jellybean Media Group was founded in 2020 by a pair of retired broadcast engineers who believed that while machines can fix problems, only stories can fix hearts. During the early days of the pandemic, when the world was turned upside down, they decided to create something that could bring families together — laughter, learning, and love all in one place.

From that simple dream, Jellybean Media Group has grown into a global family-friendly media company producing wholesome, high-quality entertainment for audiences of all ages. We take pride in offering creative content that inspires jo...

Episode 4 Summary: “The Case of the Whispering Locker”

When strange whispers echo from Locker 237 at Maplewood Elementary, Luna Sparks and Omar Trekker spring into detective mode! Students are convinced it’s haunted—some claim it even called their names! With Principal Crumbly in panic mode and rumors spreading faster than spilled juice at lunch, Luna and Omar must uncover the truth before the whole school turns into a ghost-hunting frenzy.

Armed with a flashlight, a notebook, and Omar’s overactive imagination, the duo follows mysterious clues through echoing hallways, only to uncover a hysterically human culprit be...

Episode 3 Summary — “The Case of the Missing Mascot Head”

It’s Spirit Week at Maplewood Elementary, and excitement is bouncing off the walls! But just as the school gears up for the big pep rally, disaster strikes—the mascot’s giant squirrel head has vanished!

Luna Sparks and Omar Trekker jump into action, determined to crack the case before the crowd starts cheering for… nothing. From a trail of glittery pom-poms to a runaway “tumbleweed of school spirit,” the duo follows a hilarious path of clues through the halls.

But when the mystery ends with a furry...

Season 2, Episode 2: “The Case of the Humming Hallway”

(Part of the Mysteries in the Dark series from Jellybean Media Group)

Something strange is echoing through the halls of Maplewood Elementary — a mysterious hum that only happens after dark! When Luna Sparks and Omar Trekker hear the spooky sound for themselves, they grab their flashlights and head straight into the unknown.

Is it a ghost teacher who never left school? A singing spirit haunting the janitor’s closet? Or something even sillier?

With laughter, teamwork, and a whole lot of courage, Luna and Omar...

Season 2, Episode 01: “The Case of the Vanishing Science Fair”

(Part of the Mysteries in the Dark Series)

Luna Sparks and Omar Trekker are back for a brand-new season of curious adventures! 🕵️‍♀️🕵️‍♂️

When the annual Science Fair suddenly goes missing, leaving empty tables and a trail of glowing slime, Luna and Omar leap into action. Their investigation leads them through glittery chaos, mysterious neon slime, and even a tiny lab-coated hamster with a flair for mischief!

With teamwork, clever thinking, and a lot of giggles, they uncover the surprising culprit and save the fair just in time. A p...

Welcome, detectives!

Meet Luna Sparks, brilliant and brave, and her best friend Omar Trekker, clever and just a little jumpy. Together, they solve strange and silly mysteries — from burping backpacks to disappearing donuts, whispering shadows to mischievous raccoons, and even the Pumpkin Prankster! Grab your flashlight and detective hat, and join Luna and Omar as they uncover clues, chase surprises, and shine a little light in the dark. This is Mysteries in the Dark, where every case ends with a giggle!

Episode 9: “The Case of the Classroom Crasher”

(Part of the Mysteries in the Dark Series)

Luna Sparks and Omar Trekker return to their old stomping grounds—Willowbrook Elementary—for a special classroom visit! 📚✨

But just as they begin sharing stories about their wildest mysteries, chaos erupts: a flying lunchbox, splattered applesauce, and a trail of tiny green feathers! With the help of some giggly students and a whole lot of detective know-how, Luna and Omar chase the clues down the hall… and discover that the mischievous “Classroom Crasher” isn’t a student at all—it’s a talking pa...

Episode 9: “The Case of the Classroom Crasher”

(Part of the Mysteries in the Dark Series)

Luna Sparks and Omar Trekker return to their old stomping grounds—Willowbrook Elementary—for a special classroom visit! 📚✨

But just as they begin sharing stories about their wildest mysteries, chaos erupts: a flying lunchbox, splattered applesauce, and a trail of tiny green feathers! With the help of some giggly students and a whole lot of detective know-how, Luna and Omar chase the clues down the hall… and discover that the mischievous “Classroom Crasher” isn’t a student at all—it’s a talking pa...

Episode 8: “The Case of the Echoing Attic”

(Part of the Mysteries in the Dark Series)

When strange voices begin echoing from Luna Sparks’ attic, she and Omar Trekker set out to uncover the spooky source! 🕵️‍♀️🌧️

Armed with flashlights, courage, and a very questionable chicken hat, the duo climbs into the dusty attic to confront what sounds like a talking ghost. But when they discover a mischievous squirrel drumming on pipes with a spoon, the truth turns out to be both hilarious and heartwarming.

It’s an adventure full of laughter, bravery, and the reminder that so...

Episode 7: “The Case of the Glow-in-the-Dark Goop”

(Part of the Mysteries in the Dark Series)

When one of Luna Sparks’ late-night science experiments starts wiggling, burping, and glowing, things get slippery fast! 🌟🧪

After Luna’s mysterious glowing goop escapes the lab, she and Omar Trekker must chase it through town—dodging startled bakers, glowing duck ponds, and a library full of goosebumps. What they discover is a bright surprise that turns science gone wrong into a glowing adventure gone right!

It’s a wild mix of laughter, teamwork, and scientific silliness that proves some m...

“The Case of the Whispering Shadows”

(Part of the Mysteries in the Dark Series)

On a windy Saturday night, Luna Sparks and Omar Trekker hear mysterious whispers drifting from the shadows—and naturally, they can’t resist investigating! 🌙✨

What begins as a seemingly spooky encounter turns into a hilarious adventure involving flickering streetlights, a mischievous cat, and the most curious shadows in town. Luna and Omar prove that sometimes the scariest sounds are just a little imagination—and a lot of fun!

🎙️ The Curious Adventures of Luna Sparks & Omar Trekker — where every shadow hides a s...